On the wooden platforms, Gundy and his team give us our final training: “Sit upright in your harness, legs straight out... step slowly off the platform,” and “Don't worry, we're gonna catch you at the other end.”

Gundy clips me securely to the zipline and gives me his optimistic “Everything's going to be all right, Sharon” smile. I swing off the platform. Swoosh, I'm airborne. Planet Earth is a Kodachrome blur. Delight erases terror. Clouds move in and out, shaping into Angels and parrotfish. Getting to heaven is easy. Just say yes to zip-lining on Maui.

Heavenly luxury

“Quick, Sharon! Come out here,” calls my fiancée Ken, early one glorious morning. “I found you more whales.” Elegant humpback whales glide through the turquoise Pacific, spraying water plumes like giant fountains. We've seen them faraway from our zip lines, but from our balcony we see how massive they truly are. We envy the kayakers and paddle boarders, close enough to touch the whales, which seem to slow down for their admirers. What a morning wake up call: Whales off our balcony, rainbows glowing over fragrant gardens. Just another perfect day at The Fairmont Kea Lani.

By 9 a.m., the Fairmont bursts with life. Bikini babes work on their tans, while fitness buffs huff through pool aerobics. Hikers stroll the beach; snorkelers ogle sea turtles and pink parrotfish darting among the coral reef offshore. Yoga lovers balance in tree pose on the lawn, kids swoosh down the waterslide into mom's waiting arms, and adventurer lovers paddle out in longboat canoes.

In Hawaiian, “Kea Lani” means “Heavenly White,” an apt description of this exquisite open-air resort along the deep blue ocean on Maui's southern shoreline. The staff genuinely cares about your happiness, there's no request too large. Discover secret spots… like a shady bamboo garden in the lobby, a wish upon a star koi pond, the hammock between two perfect palms framing a cobalt sky, a paved walkway along the Pacific.

At night, we savored mojitos at the open-air Luana Lounge, watching sunset turn the Pacific deep blue. At KO restaurant, we savored delicious Chinese, Filipino, Portuguese and Hawaiian appetizers. The hotel is magical, lit by fire torches, and the scent of jasmine is seductive.

One of the most popular resort activities is the “Hawaiian Cultural Program” led by Cultural Coach Jonelle Kamai. “We teach guests about local cuisine,” she enthuses, “as well as Hawaiian music, celebrations, and language. Come experience the true spirit of Aloha, which embodies friendship, trust, and welcome.”

None of us could resist the mahimahi from Ryan Thomas, absolutely one of the best dishes of our lives.

We were too full for dessert until the chef sent out his signature “Polynesian Black Pearl.” A huge pastry arrived, shaped like a giant pearl, filled with a soft pillow of Liliko'I fruit-flavored chocolate mousse. Stunning. There are times when a dessert intensifies the joy of being alive. Today was that day.

That's heaven on Maui. Maybe it's like the real heaven: something you wait for and know will be absolutely divine.

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